Formula E’s Lockdown Alternative: The Race At Home Challenge

The coronavirus pandemic caused most events including motorsports to either be cancelled or postponed. In the case of Formula E, it was already mid-way through its 2019-2020 season with five rounds already completed. But now, the rest of the season is in doubt considering it has been put on hold. But as is the case with other motorsports, Formula E utilised the virtual world for its racing fix. More accurately, via its Race At Home virtual championship.

This virtual championship was run in conjunction with its partnership with UNICEF in which all funds raised will be donated to the coronavirus appeal fund. The series was held via the rFactor 2 game on PC with an 8-round season that culminated in a double points finale. While it used the same Formula E points system, there was a twist for the races. It was essentially like a battle royale, where drivers would be eliminated each lap until the top 10 remained with a final lap sprint to the line. The series had everything from a close championship fight to a tense finale. Here’s the main talking points of the Formula E Race At Home Challenge:

BMW-Andretti And Gunther Take Opening Blows

The opening two rounds of the season saw some parallels to the real-life season in which BMW-Andretti kicked off the season in style with two back-to-back wins. Only this time instead of both drivers scoring wins, it was Maximilian Gunther that took top honors. 

Wehrlein vs Vandoorne 

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Although Gunther started off the opening two rounds, that was really it for the rest of the championship as Mahindra’s Pascal Wehrlein and Mercedes-Benz EQ’s Stoffel Vandoorne really kicked things up a notch. Although Wehrlein had 14 more wins, Vandoorne was close behind in consistency. And with double points on offer for the final race, any incidents would prove costly. Unfortunately, a racing incident that involved Wehrlein and Vandoorne caused the German to come off worse and drop all the way down to 21st.  Despite a comeback drive to 12th place, it wasn’t enough as Vandoorne finished 2nd to clinch the title by 24 points. Nissan’s Oliver Rowland rounded off 3rd in the driver’s standings with two wins in the fifth and final round of the season. 

The Abt-Secret Driver Controversy

While the Formula E Race At Home Challenge had its great moments, it also raised a very controversial side to esports. By that we mean Audi’s Daniel Abt and the secret driver saga. After finishing a surprise 3rd in round 5, it was discovered that he wasn’t even driving. In fact it was pro gamer Lorenz Hoerzing who drove in his place. 

The aftermath of that started with Abt being disqualified from the race to even losing his Audi race seat with immediate effect. Although he apologised, paid 10,000 euros to charity and tried to make this incident as a prank of sorts. It clearly turned out to be one of the weirdest ways to lose a race seat.

Mercedes Deja-Vu?

It seems like wherever Mercedes goes in recent times, success follows. Stoffel Vandoorne clinched the driver’s title, and the combined efforts of his teammate Nyck De Vries meant Mercedes EQ sealed the constructors title as well. And we thought Mercedes dominating Formula One for six consecutive seasons and potentially seven was a feat in itself.

In the end, the Formula E Race At Home Challenge provided a more serious aspect to the virtual world of racing being one of the few esports events during the lockdown to actually have a championship. On the other hand, it may have turned out to be a bit too serious for some fans considering the Daniel Abt controversy. Real-life racing will always trump virtual racing and we can’t wait for the season to resume. Unfortunately, it may be under threat of cancellation as organisers have made it clear that they aren’t willing to stretch this season beyond September.

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